Take your taste buds on a global journey in Barcelona
by Trinitat Gilbert Martínez
Barcelona stands as a remarkable microcosm of global gastronomy. The city’s Catalan cuisine, with recipes dating back to medieval times, flourishes in prestigious establishments that have garnered recognition from the world’s most respected culinary authorities, including Michelin and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
While Catalans take immense pride in their traditional fare, they embrace global cuisines with equal enthusiasm, particularly Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and Peruvian. This culinary diversity is supported by Mercabarna, one of Europe’s most significant wholesale markets, which operates around the clock. Here we explore some of the most distinctive restaurants representing a range of global cuisines alongside some home-grown favourites.
MEXICAN CUISINE
OAXACA
Oaxaca offers an authentic Mexican journey without leaving Catalonia. This spacious, welcoming establishment presents a menu rich with chillies, charcoal-roasted fish, traditional mole sauces and guacamole served in traditional molcajetes alongside premium corn tacos.
Beyond its exceptional cuisine, Oaxaca celebrates the spirit of its namesake region through its resident mezcal master, who guides guests through their carefully curated selection and crafts bespoke cocktails. As the Oaxacan saying goes: “for all ills, mezcal, and for all good things too”.
Pla de Palau, 19
Tel: +34 933 190 064
https://oaxacacuinamexicana.com
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JIRIBILLA
Since its opening a year ago, Jiribilla (pictured, above) has quickly established itself as a leading light of Mexican cuisine in Barcelona. Chef Gerard Bellver, drawing on experience gained in his childhood in Mexico, masterfully fuses Mexican culinary techniques with local Catalan ingredients.
A standout dish exemplifying this fusion is the veal tongue with mole sauce, pil-pil red peppers and tortillas.
Comte Borrell, 85
Tel: +34 938 563 180
www.jiribillabcn.com
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JAPANESE CUISINE
MERIKENKO
This intimate ten-seat counter restaurant offers a privileged dining experience. As Chef Kenji Ueno’s fifth establishment, it presents two distinct tasting menus centred around his masterful tempura, prepared before diners’ eyes.
The experience includes exquisite nigiri, all served with an attention to detail that transports guests to Japan. The intimate setting ensures personal attention and an authentic Japanese dining experience.
Seneca, 28
Tel: +34 937 431 519
https://www.instagram.com/ merikenkobcn
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CHINESE CUISINE
CHENGDU
ChengDu delivers authentic Sichuan cuisine in the heart of Barcelona.
The menu features regional specialities including Peking duck, Sichuan-style seafood, traditional Chinese buns, crayfish, beef stew, spicy prawns, mapo tofu, and kung pao chicken.
The restaurant’s ambiance effectively evokes the atmosphere of China.
Roger de Lluria, 35
Tel. +34 930 316 634
https://chengdurestaurante.es
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PERUVIAN CUISINE
LECHE DE TIGRE
True to its name, which references Peru’s famous citrus-based fish marinade, this restaurant specialises in ceviche offered in three distinct preparations. Its sophisticated dishes, such as bluefin tuna with miso-infused leche de tigre and tamarind sauce served with crispy yuca, demonstrate deep respect for Peruvian culinary traditions.
The seafood fried rice with tortilla, mixed vegetables, and soy-oyster sauce comes highly recommended.
Casanova, 262
Tel: +34 931 480 195
www.lechedetigre.es
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INDIAN CUISINE
TANDOOR
Chef Ivan Surinder, whose father Surinder Oberoi pioneered Indian cuisine in Barcelona, maintains authentic Indian traditions
while innovating.
The menu features classics such as galouti kebab, dahi papdi (wholewheat crisps with spiced yoghurt, cherry tomatoes, and chutneys), and its signature tandoori chicken marinated
in traditional spices. The welcoming atmosphere and elegant decor create a truly immersive dining experience.
Arago, 8
Tel: +34 934 253 206
www.restaurantetandoor.com
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ITALIAN CUISINE
GLUG
This innovative establishment seamlessly blends Italian and Catalan cuisines. The space features an impressive central bar for casual dining, alongside traditional table seating.
Its creative dishes, particularly the ingenious macaroni croquettes, which feature whole pasta pieces within each crispy morsel, demonstrates its culinary prowess. The carefully curated wine list stands as one of the restaurant’s greatest assets.
Viladomat, 289
Tel: +34 747 747 929
www.instagram.com/glug.bar
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BASQUE CUISINE
KRESALA
Exemplifying some of Barcelona’s finest Basque cuisine, Kresala (a name meaning ‘salt’ in Basque symbolises humanity’s spiritual connection to the sea) offers a spectacular seafront dining experience.
Here, guests can savour perfectly grilled fish, meat, and seafood prepared in authentic Basque style.
The restaurant’s mastery of the grill, a cornerstone of Basque culinary tradition, delivers an exceptional dining experience in this stunning coastal setting.
Port Olimpic, Moll de Gregal, Local 1
Tel: +34 936 358 333
https://restaurantkresala.com
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CATALAN CUISINE
DISFRUTAR
Crowned the world’s finest restaurant by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants (in 2024), Disfrutar offers an extraordinary tasting menu featuring over 30 dishes rooted in traditional Catalan cuisine.
The restaurant’s three chefs demonstrate profound knowledge of both land and sea produce. They transform this traditional foundation using innovative techniques, creating visually stunning dishes that deliver intense flavour experiences.
Standout dishes include the savoury green olive mousse in a varied salad and its signature multi-spherical corn and foie gras tatin.
Villarroel, 163
Tel: +34 933 486 896
www.disfrutarbarcelona.com
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PASSADIS DEL PEP
Passadis del Pep, situated in Barcelona’s picturesque El Born district, specialises in magnificent seafood platters featuring grilled lobster, crayfish, razor clams and various other fresh shellfish.
The restaurant (pictured, above) excels in combining seafood with seasonal produce, creating sea and mountain pairings such as its renowned peas with squid. The carefully selected Joselito Iberian ham and cured meats are permanent menu fixtures.
Pla de Palau, 2
Tel: +34 933 101 021
https://passadis.com
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TANGANA
Tangana excels in fish preparation across various cooking methods: grilled, oven-roasted, or pan- seared, each enhanced by thoughtfully crafted sauces.
Its cod morro served with salsa Catalana, a piquant escabeche sauce, exemplifies Catalonia’s rich culinary traditions.
The scorpion fish, one of the Mediterranean’s reddest specimens, arrives ceremoniously at the table diced and dressed in its own gelatinous pil-pil sauce.
Another standout dish features calamari with sauteed onions and sobrassada, a traditional Balearic sausage, which showcases the harmonious union of Catalan and Balearic ingredients.
Riera de Sant Miquel, 19
Tel: +34 937 140 621
https://tangana.es
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MESA LOBO
Mesa Lobo artfully blends Catalan cuisine with Nordic and French influences.
The restaurant particularly shines in its preparation of fish and shellfish, employing Nordic techniques with French sauces. Highlights include grilled red mullet with beans and smoked paprika dressing, and monkfish with beurre blanc.
Aribau, 65
Tel: +34 605 197 492
www.mesalobo.com
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